Page 136 of Hold Me Instead
Charlie stared at the papers in her hand, the words blurring in front of her eyes. “Thought we decided this was too risky, going into business with your partner.”
He flung his arms wide. “Yeah, well, this is all going down differently than any of us planned, I guess. But it’s only worth it if you’re there with me. The practice needs you, Charlie. The community needs you.” He stepped closer to her again, brushing staticky hair from her cheek. “I need you.”
She smiled, but before she could speak, he interrupted.
“Not to pressure you. Fuck, you know how saying that sounds good in your head? I don’t want me needing you to be the reason. I want you to want to be a part of it, be with me—”
Charlie laughed, cupping his face with her hands. “Zachary. I want this—this is perfect. It’s messy and unexpected and exactly right.”
He pressed his forehead against hers and sighed. “I have one request, if we’re going to do this. White coats, five days a week.”
She reared back, but then noticed the teasing smile on his face. “How about I wear it for you here, without anything else?”
He groaned, scooping her closer. “That sounds fair,” he said, kissing her deeply. “Can we take these jackets off now?”
She laughed, tearing hers off, shrieking when he scooped her over his shoulder. When he set her down in the bedroom, he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
“I’ve missed you in my life, Charlie Harris,” he said.
Charlie ran her fingers along his jaw. “Me too,” she whispered. “Stay in mine?”
“You can count on it.”
Epilogue
Charlie
Themusicfilledtheroom, and Charlie swayed her hips. She set out two small plates, then carefully placed a snickerdoodle cupcake on each. She shimmied over to the wine, pouring two glasses.
It had been a couple of weeks since they’d made it official—she and Zachary were the proud co-owners of EFVH. Daniel had given his blessing, emotional that the two of them cared so deeply about his life’s work to continue it, and relieved they’d found a way to ease some of the practice's struggles. The transition was smooth, considering everyone had been working under them for the last few months, but the positive reception from their team had been extremely important.
That morning in particular had been especially positive—Charlie’s PT appointment being one of her most progressive yet. It had boosted her spirits the whole day, sending her humming all the way to the bakery and home. Zachary would be there soon, Maple and Toothless were curled up asleep, and she was as turned on as a live wire.
Arms circled her waist, and she yelped.
“You have a habit of playing your music so loud you can’t hear the door,” Zachary said, with a kiss to her neck.
“Easier to sing along and not have to hear myself,” she joked. She tilted her head back and forth. “That would probably bother Levi more, to be honest.”
Zachary chuckled. “What do you have here?”
“Snickerdoodle cupcakes. Final ones of the season.” Charlie spun in his arms and wrapped hers around him.
“Your appointment went well this morning, huh?” he said.
She nodded and stood on her tiptoes to brush her nose along his jaw. “Mm-hmm. Best one yet.” She nipped at his skin, and he inhaled sharply.
“That’s great,” he said, returning the favor. “I had to stop checking your texts today. They made me want to pack up and head right to you.”
She giggled, then gasped as he sucked at her collarbone. “Zachary,” she breathed.
He lifted her legs around his waist and walked slowly toward the bedroom.
Setting her on the bed, he stepped back to remove his scrubs. She slipped her sweater over her head and shimmied off her pants. Now only in boxer briefs, Zachary crawled over her, pressing his warm body against hers.
“I missed your body,” he hummed, kissing down her neck, slipping her bra straps off her shoulders. “This morning wasn’t enough.” He tugged down her bra with a sexy force that made her gasp, then groaned as he sucked her nipple into his mouth.
She arched her back, hands gripping his hair. He switched to her other breast, unclasped the bra, and tossed it. His hand skated down her ribs and hips while his tongue circled her nipples. Charlie squeezed her legs against him, trying to ease the want. He knew. Zachary skimmedthe silky bikini-cut material down and slipped two fingers inside her, groaning as she gasped.
